Frank Caprio, the longtime Chief Judge of the Providence Municipal Court and star of the hit television program Caught in Providence, has died at the age of 88.
Caprio, who captured global attention with his compassionate approach to justice, passed away following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born on November 24, 1936, in Providence, Rhode Island, Caprio was the son of Italian immigrants Antonio and Filomena Caprio. He graduated from Providence College in 1958 and later earned his law degree from Suffolk University Law School while working as a high school teacher. His early career included private practice and service on the Providence City Council from 1962 to 1968.
Caprio was appointed to the Providence Municipal Court in 1985 and went on to serve as Chief Judge until his retirement in 2023. His courtroom gained widespread recognition through Caught in Providence, a program that began on local television before expanding nationally and online. The show’s viral clips highlighted Caprio’s empathy and fairness in handling minor offenses, earning him millions of admirers worldwide.
Beyond his judicial role, Caprio chaired the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education and established multiple scholarships to support students at Providence College, Suffolk University, and other institutions. He was also honored with several honorary degrees and inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.
Caprio is survived by his wife, Joyce, and their five children, including Frank T. Caprio, former Rhode Island General Treasurer. His family expressed hope that his legacy of compassion and kindness will live on through the good deeds of others.